Football
9y

AC Milan midfielder Andrea Poli urges team to step up in final 10 games

AC Milan midfielder Andrea Poli has accepted his share of the blame for the club's current plight, saying that the time has come for everybody to roll up their sleeves and let their actions do the talking.

Heading into the final 10 games of the season, the Rossoneri trail sixth-placed Fiorentina by nine points and appear set to miss out on a place in Europe for the second season running.

The time for providing excuses is over, according to Poli, who told the Gazzetta dello Sport that Milan will do all they can to end the season on a high note.

"We're obliged to do well," he said. "The final stages of this season is really the start of the next one and we've got to hit the ground running.

"If the season's gone the way it has, then it means we all could have done better. I for first. But now we're focusing on rebuilding something big. We're not happy, but there's little to say and a lot to do.

"I'm part of a team, but I try to assume my own responsibility. And I think we've got a good nucleus of Italian players within the team that we can build on. All together, we can be leaders. And the time has come for us to assume our responsibility. Our project is attractive."

Poli's own form has suffered along with Milan's and rather than a change in scenery with the national team on Tuesday night, the 26-year-old was out having a meal with a couple of friends. The next time Italy play, he hopes to be a lot closer to the action than in front of a television screen. 

"I don't have any regrets, but I do hope to get back [into the national team]," he said. "Unfortunately I was not in the best shape when I was called up last. I had the chance to train under [Antonio] Conte and you could see how great a desire to win he has, and you can feel how great a coach he is.

"Tactically he's a monster. I hope to be part of it, but my first objective is to do well with Milan to convince Conte to select me. We've got to end the season well for ourselves, for the fans and for the shirts we are wearing."

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